Zander Kirkland is to seek expert advice as he looks to build on a solid performance at the Laser Midwinter East Regatta in Florida.

Kirkland finished 22nd out of more than 80 competitors at the event and at one point was 20th.

"I felt good about the improvement in downwind technique and speed. This was something I have been working on," he said. "I passed some guys I know to be good. This put me in competitive company a few times at the leeward mark where my lack of boat handling polish definitely showed as I lost boats."

Kirkland said he hung in on the upwind sections as well but at 160 pounds was still too light.

"My next step is two weeks of intensive training in Bermuda in March with Martin Jenkins from Argentina," he said. "Martin is a world class tactical sailor, twice winner of the Optimist World Championship. He is coming to train in preparation for an Argentine Olympic qualifier."

Kirkland said he was looking forward to the Bermuda Nationals on March 16 and 17.

"Then it's two months of High School team racing, six afternoons a week, in 420 double-handed dinghies where our goal is to contend for the National Championships," he said. "In the summer it's back to the single-handed Laser trail."